Question 1

Humans produce heat and noise and transform the environment through such actions as drilling,damming,mining,etc.This produces __________.

Accepted Answer

The given actions of humans, such as drilling and mining, have negative impacts on the environment. These activities lead to environmental stress, which can harm the ecosystem and its inhabitants. The other choices, such as progress, human fulfillment, business growth, and population growth, do not necessarily align with the given situation and may not be the best fit for the answer.

Question 2

Bronchitis,emphysema,and lung cancer are all products of __________ pollution.

Accepted Answer

Bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer are all respiratory diseases caused by air pollution. Polluted air contains harmful substances like particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals, which can damage the respiratory system, leading to various respiratory diseases. Therefore, air pollution is the correct answer.

Question 3

In some instances,social and economic needs change,but up to that time there is no technology to supply these needs.This is __________.

Accepted Answer

Technological lag occurs when there is a delay or gap in technological development that prevents the fulfillment of emerging social and economic needs.

Question 4

In the United States in the late nineteenth century,new industrial technology contributed to a rise in industrial accidents,but social welfare legislation to aid those injured did not yet exist.This illustrates __________.

Accepted Answer

Culture lag refers to a delay in the adaption of social institutions and norms to technological or cultural changes. In this scenario, new industrial technology led to a rise in industrial accidents but social welfare legislation was not yet in place to aid those injured, indicating a lag in adapting social welfare policies to changes brought about by industrialization.

Question 5

Carbon dioxide may trap heat near the earth's surface,raising the average temperature of the atmosphere.This process is referred to as __________.

Accepted Answer

The process described in the sentence is commonly known as the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, causing the average temperature of the earth's surface to increase. This is similar to the way a greenhouse traps heat to keep plants warm. Therefore, the correct choice is E - the greenhouse effect. Choices A, B, C, and D are incorrect and do not accurately describe the phenomenon.

Question 6

Transhumanists are fascinated by the idea of the __________,a creature that is part human and part technological systems.

Accepted Answer

A cyborg, or cybernetic organism, is a being that combines both biological and technological components. This concept fits the idea of a creature that is part human and part technological systems, which is of interest to transhumanists. While the other choices may also involve technology, they do not necessarily involve the integration of biological and technological components in the same way as a cyborg.

Question 7

Fluorocarbon molecules are important in the problem of __________.

Accepted Answer

Fluorocarbon molecules are known to be major contributors to the depletion of the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere. When released into atmosphere and exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, they release chlorine atoms which then go on to break down the ozone molecules causing a hole to form in the ozone layer. This allows harmful UV radiation to penetrate the Earth's atmosphere leading to various environmental and health problems.

Question 8

__________ has described the fundamental problem of the harmful effects of certain technologies on the natural environment in terms of a clash between the speed of change in human civilization and the pace of change in the cycles of the natural environment.

Accepted Answer

Barry Commoner has discussed the problem of the harmful effects of technologies on the environment in terms of the conflict between the rapidly changing human civilization and the relatively slower-changing natural environment. He has also coined the slogan "everything is connected to everything else" to emphasize the interconnectedness and interdependence of different aspects of the environment.

Question 9

Another name for photochemical soup is __________.

Accepted Answer

Smog is another term for photochemical soup, which refers to the hazy and polluted air caused by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants in the atmosphere.

Question 10

In 1991,research physicist Frank Close conducted a study of the "__________" scandal,wherein he warned that the pressure on scientists to make discoveries and bring in profits for universities and research institutes is creating an incentive for manipulations of data and serious lapses in scientific judgment.

Accepted Answer

The "cold fusion" scandal in 1989 involved claims of nuclear fusion occurring at room temperature, which was later discredited due to manipulations of data and errors in scientific judgment. Frank Close's study in 1991 warned of the pressures on scientists to make groundbreaking discoveries for financial gain, which could lead to similar lapses in judgment and fraudulent behavior.

Question 11

Environmental __________ refers to the presence of toxic agents in the environment in kinds and qualities potentially damaging to humans or to other organisms.

Accepted Answer

Pollution refers to the presence of toxic agents in the environment that can harm living organisms. The other options do not accurately describe this concept.

Question 12

Large concentrations of sulfur dioxide are an important part of __________.

Accepted Answer

Large concentrations of sulfur dioxide are a significant contributor to acid rain. When sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it can combine with other compounds like oxygen and water to form sulfuric acid. This acid then falls to the ground as acid rain, which can cause harm to plants, wildlife, and buildings.

Question 13

According to the text,the air,water,earth,plants,animals,and mineral resources are part of the __________.

Accepted Answer

The air, water, earth, plants, animals, and mineral resources are all part of the natural system, also known as the ecosystem or biosphere. This system encompasses all living and non-living things on Earth and how they interact with each other.

Question 14

The classic study by Cottrell describes the demise,during the 1940s,of a small southwestern town he called "Caliente." The main reason the town "died" was that __________.

Accepted Answer

The introduction of diesel locomotive technology undermined the economic base of the town. This led to a decline in the demand for wood and coal, which were the primary products of Caliente.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a concept that is basic to understanding environmental stress?

Accepted Answer

Balance is not a concept basic to understanding environmental stress; rather, it's more about the interactions and impacts within ecosystems, such as limits, interdependence, complexity, and diversity.

Question 16

One of the concepts basic to understanding environmental stress emphasizes that everything is related to,and depends upon,everything else.This is captured by the phrase __________.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "the web of life" is often used to describe the interconnectedness of all living things and their dependence on each other for survival. This concept is fundamental to understanding environmental stress and the impacts of human activities on the natural world. The other options do not accurately capture this idea.

Question 17

Hydrocarbons,the oxides of carbon,and particulate matter are all important pollutants of __________.

Accepted Answer

Hydrocarbons, oxides of carbon (such as carbon monoxide and dioxide), and particulate matter are all common pollutants in the atmosphere. They can contribute to different forms of air pollution, such as smog, acid rain, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 18

__________ is the very small but growing social movement that advocates the ethical use fo technologies to enhance human capabilities..

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ is the very small but growing...

Question 19

The earth's resources are finite;only a certain number of a given species can inhabit an environment.These are examples of a concept that is basic to understanding environmental stress,which is __________.

Accepted Answer

The concept of limits is basic to understanding environmental stress, as it refers to the finite nature of Earth's resources and the capacity limits of environments to support species. This concept underscores the idea that there is a maximum population size or resource usage level that an environment can sustain.

Question 20

Environmental stress involves the interaction of three systems: the "natural" environment,the technological system,and the __________ system.

Accepted Answer

The natural environment and technological system both interact with and influence the social system, including human behavior, values, and cultural norms. Therefore, the social system plays a crucial role in the environmental stress and its impact.

Quiz 14: Technology and the Environment